Childhood Comfort Food,
Vintage China
and
Bananas and Custard
You know the feeling, you have been a bit under the weather ~ you haven’t eaten anything for a while and you feel quite peckish, what do you fancy? Soup ~ yes, soup is good but you crave something sweet…….not toast and jam, too hard and scratchy on the throat; ice-cream ~ too cold, cake ~ hmm, tempting but no, maybe later! And then the light bulb suddenly switches on and there it is, the perfect bowl of comfort food, sweet and hot…..quick and easy, and YES it’s not haute cuisine, but who cares. Redolent of childhood “afters” and often longed for…….Bananas and Custard.
Now this is not home-made custard as in the posh crème Anglaise style….it’s made with Birds’ Custard and nothing else will do for this old fashioned pudding. You could use tinned custard if you wish, the stuff that comes from Devon……..or even a packet of instant custard ~ it matters not, as long as it is served up hot and thick with sliced bananas in a retro style vintage bowl. The excess custard should be decanted into an old jug ready for more pouring of the golden sauce if the bowl becomes dry……extra bananas can be cut in readiness too………
The bananas should be ripe but not black and squidgy ~ the custard must be thick and unctuous…..you will then have a combination that is made in culinary heaven and I am not embarrassed to admit that I love this humble pudding…..it reminds me of after school, Saturday tea, visits to grandparents, weaning my daughter, feeding my toddler daughter, mum, dad, meal time fights with my sister, meals for one, food to cheer, sunny days, cold days, wet days, polished wooden tables, Formica tables, plump cushions, fluffy pillows and sick beds, my childhood, my student days, then, now and always……..
The correct bowl must be used for Bananas and Custard; in a perfect world it should be of another era, a 1930’s bowl with flowers and thatched cottages ~ maybe with some crinoline ladies and frilly parasols…..hexagonal in shape and small and dainty……I am always drawn to hollyhocks on an old bowl, or maybe delphiniums…….the jug should be blue and white, but I will let you off if it is old and of another colour. Dice the bananas and place them in the bowl, then as soon as the custard has cooked, pour it over straight away and enjoy the cold, hot and sweet sensation. Only allow others to participate if there is at least half a pint of custard per person, if not, eat it all to yourself whilst looking wan and poorly. I am still fighting off this nasty chest infection and this is food to cheer and comfort, so I am allowing you to share it with me today, as long as I get at least half a pint of custard we can all still be friends.
See you later,
Karen
At this stage I normally write out the recipe ~ but it’s easy today ~ take a banana and slice it, then pour over freshly made hot custard…..enjoy!
A Trifle Rushed says
How right you are. This is one of the best puddings, ever. I do love Bird's custard, and even use it in my trifle! (Because I'm always in a rush!)
I hope your feeling better today, Jude x
Kate@whatkatebaked says
This is most definitely one of the best ever puddings Karen- I've no doubt you felt loads better after just one spoonful. Infact in work today I'll suggest they prescribe it on the NHS!
Marie says
Hope you're feeling better soon Karen. Custard and Bananas are the best and you are right they spell "Comfort." xxoo
Kate - Turquoise Lemons says
Yummy. Totally agree this is my go to comfort food. I love, love custard. Hope you feel better soon. xxx
Sally - My Custard Pie says
Totally agree that custard is the perfect comfort food. Hope you get well soon.
peasepudding says
Yum, you can't beat good old fashioned puds and easy ones at that!
Kentish Keg-Meg says
Just what the doctor ordered. Great pud and a favourite in this house. Hope you will be well soon.
Dom at Belleau Kitchen says
I quite literally cannot think of anything worse!… I really want to love B&C but I think I was wounded too seriously at school to be able to ever love it… too bad for me I guess… lovely china bowl though and I wish you a speedy recovery xx
Jenny Eatwell says
I have exactly that shape of bowl! Mine are a bit art deco though, with orange chrysanthemums clustered by some strategically placed lineage in leaf green. I've a big serving bowl, too. Bought the three of them at a Jumble Sale for next to nothing. Don't you just love old-fashioned bowls? My Mum will never understand my love for old crockery. LOL I reckon we must have bananas & custard for dessert probably around once every fortnight. My son would mutiny if we didn't!
carolinajewel says
You had me a vintage china! I have never had any custard but homemade. At Christmas sometimes I have seen cartons of custard with the eggnog. And I have never had custard with bananas! My grandmother used to make custard pie (firm custard, not pouring custard) with dried apricots and they were wonderful!
As always, you inspire me!
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
Oh this is wonderful – I haven't thought of bananas and custard for YEARS! but now I have to make some – my girls will love it – thanks so much 🙂
Mary oxo
Prairie Rose says
This is too funny, I just got online to try to find recipes to use up the large amount of bananas that I currently have and BAM! here is a delish recipe that I am excited to try!
Thanks, friend!
Janice says
That took me right back! Love Birds custard and do still have it with crumble but can't remember the last time I had bananas and custard. The Cornish blue jug also reminds me of my granny who had a similar one.
Suzanne says
I remember this from childhood too!! Also mashed banana and sugar white bread sandwiches . . yummy!!
I also know that the only thing I wanted after a visit to the orthodontist was heinz tomato soup and a really soft white bap!!! It remains my choice of comfort food to this day.
Sorry about the soup – my current favourite is spicy parsnip!! Hard to find here in the Netherlands as for some reason it is not rated as a vegetable here, but if I search long and hard or pre-order on the market, I will get some for Christmas, yey!!!!
Laura@howtocookgoodfood says
Bananas & custard is one of my children's favourites. Have to confess to using Ambrosia custard and it also has an embellishment of sprinkles on top! X
Working london mummy says
lovely! Brings back memories from my childhood. hope you are getting better xx
Jacqueline says
I hope you are feeling better Karen.
Do you know, I have never had bananas with custard. I know it would taste goos, but it has never occurred to me to have it.
Chele says
My Mum used to make us banana custard when we were kids and feeling a little poorly. I had completely forgotten about it till I saw your post. What a blast from the past. Thanks for the reminder ;0)
Brownieville Girl says
Get well soon Karen, hope the banana and custard did the trick.
Neesie Natters says
Now that takes me back…way back!
I used to have my bananas with milk and sugar though.
I'm suffering with my chesticles too at the moment so bring on it on, I say.
I'll try the custard option this time though. It sounds just what I need.
Hope your feeling better soon 😉
Neesie Natters says
Now that takes me back…way back!
I used to have my bananas with milk and sugar though.
I'm suffering with my chesticles too at the moment so bring on it on, I say.
I'll try the custard option this time though. It sounds just what I need.
Hope your feeling better soon 😉
Corina says
I don't remember when I last had this. I've got the birds custard in the cupboard at the moment but unfortunately I don't have any bananas! I fancy a retro evening now.